What is a booking engine? We’ll explain how you can grow bookings in 2024 by making the most of Inn Style’s booking engine features

Written By: Madelaine Herman

Published On: January 23, 2024

Inn Style’s integrated booking engine offers users a dynamic and customisable way to convert website visits into bookings. In this blog we’ll explore the best features and how to use them, so that you can ensure your booking journey is turning lookers into bookers and see what makes Inn Style the best property management system for all accommodation types.

Before we get into it you may be asking yourself, what is a booking engine? An IBE or booking engine controls the experience your guests have when making a reservation at your accommodation on your website. Inn Style’s booking engine offers multiple routes to book for your guests with our simple-to-integrate enquiry and calendar views providing prospective bookers with conversion-focused booking journeys.

Not that we have answered your question, what is a booking engine, let’s introduce you to Inn Style’s IBE features.

The basics…

Calendar View

The Inn Style Calendar View option is a great way to show your availability to potential bookers in a simple but effective format which can be customised to your brand.

The default integration will display calendars for all properties, rooms or units in a grid format which collapses to consecutive calendars on mobiles and tablets.

It is however also possible to display the booking calendar for a single Cottage, Lodge, Shepherd’s Hut or whatever you may be selling, to enable this to be embedded on a specific page. These can be utilised multiple times for different units on the same page if, for example, you had property types overarching the individual units (e.g. “Holiday Cottages” as a category for 5 separate cottages).

what is a booking engine

Enquiry View

Inn Style’s IBE Enquiry View option allows guests to see availability by choosing an arrival date, the number of nights and guests to see availability.

Potential customers can instantly check the availability for their preferred dates, providing them with an instant result as to whether you can accommodate them. Utilising this view gives bookers an easy to navigate and fast booking journey with proven conversion rates.

Inn Style’s modern, streamlined Enquiry View has the benefit of being able to easily compare units and rates with results displayed on flippable room cards – you’ll only find that with Inn Style.

You don’t have to choose

In order to offer multiple routes to booking, we believe a blended approach of Enquiry View and Calendar View to implementing our booking engine can be a great fit for some with more opportunities to convert.

For example you can provide the opportunity for an enquiry on the homepage of your website which will give high intent bookers the option to enter the journey upon landing on your website. For those potential customers who will be more inquisitive about the specifics of your accommodation you could also include individual unit calendars on the specific unit pages.

Incentivise, reinforce, convert…

Utilise Inn Style’s additional booking engine features which are built to turn website visitors into paying customers.

Level-up your guests’ booking experience and boost revenue by utilising secret codes, promos and eye-catchers to give one-off or specific rates to incentivise them into the booking journey on your terms.

Reinforce the booker’s intent by implementing your accommodation’s latest reviews or hand-pick your favourite testimonials to show in the booking journey to let your guests do the talking. Let them easily get in touch with you throughout the booking process by utilising our WhatsApp integration for efficient guest communication.

Want to add that extra sprinkle of conversion dust? Utilise Inn Style’s Customer Domains functionality, so that guests remain on your website throughout their booking process giving them a seamless journey.

A booking can be more than just a room…

At Inn Style we know that the value of a booking goes beyond the price of a stay and our features capture additional intent and guarantee revenue.

Maximise occupancy and capture intent, to keep your potential customers’ interest alive, even when you’ve achieved maximum occupancy. Wait Lists gives your guest the ability to enter their details and receive updates on availability.

Guarantee revenue, encourage referrals & repeat bookings at your accommodation with the ability to purchase and redeem gift vouchers on your website.

Maximise the value of your bookings utilising optional extras within the booking journey to upsell additional products and services available at your property.

A win-win for you and your guests…

Inn Style is built to make your life easier and to protect both the accommodation owner and the guest.

Say goodbye to phone calls from lost guests as Inn Style’s What3Words integration provides your exact location to within three square metres. Your precise location, the location of their pitch and even the location of the firewood or local amenities will be shared via automated emails.

We’ve partnered with XCover to provide you with simple, stress-free Booking Protection for your guests. With Booking Protection, your guests can confidently cancel their booking and receive a refund under certain unforeseen circumstances. Both owner and guest get peace of mind whilst you can resell the available unit to double your potential revenue.

It’s oh so simple…

With a little code and a few minutes of your time, Inn Style’s booking engine can be integrated onto any website. With easy to implement code and even easier implementation of features, Inn Style really has the best booking engine on the market.

Want to track your conversion and booking volumes? Attribute where your bookings are coming from with our Google Analytics 4 integration.

Inn Style has partnered with some of the best accommodation website developers and digital marketing specialists to give you the ability to drive your website and digital strategy to new heights. Visit our partner directory and get in touch at your leisure.

If you want to level-up your guest booking experience and need a bit of help doing so, you know where to find our dedicated support team!

Still wondering, what is a booking engine? Here are some examples of customers using the Inn Style booking engine well…

Calendar branding
Anaway Place
Enquiry features
Anchor at Walberswick
Forced enquiry
The Pop-Up Hotel Glastonbury
Enquiry on home page and calendar on accommodation pages
Cabins & Castles
Utilising calendar view, built using uSkinned Website Partner
Burlington Place
WhatsApp feature in the booking
An Airigh

Did you know?

If you are still asking yourself “what is a booking engine?” visit our integrated booking engine page to read more.

Any Questions?

If you have any further questions, please do reach out to us via the chat facility within Inn Style or email team@innstyle.co.uk.

If you are not yet an Inn Style customer and you would like some more information or would like to chat with one of our sales team members click here.

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